Do you feel sluggish, fatigued, heavy, dull, bloated or a little blue this January? Have you ever wondering about nutritional cleansing but are unsure of where to start? Safe and gentle cleansing through nutrition can be tremendously helpful for increasing energy, supporting the healing process, enhancing mental clarity and even shedding a few pounds.
In today’s world we are exposed to a wide array of chemicals each and every day. Man-made chemicals are foreign to the body and find their way in through the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink and the products we apply. From pesticides, herbicides and food additives, to air contaminants, cosmetics, and body care, toxins are coming at us from every direction. Our own body even produces toxic byproducts as a result of several bodily processes such as digestion and metabolism. These days it’s impossible to avoid chemical exposure. These chemicals tend to accumulate in the body causing issues with digestion, metabolism, inflammation, skin, hormones and brain function.
Safe and effective nutritional cleansing works by giving the body a rest from digesting complex and processed foods which allows our energy to be directed to detoxification. The human body is equipped with six organs of detoxification: the lungs, skin, lymph, bowels, liver and kidneys. These organs require an abundant amount of energy and nutrients to function optimally. When we regularly consume processed foods which require a lot of energy to digest and are deficient in critical nutrients, fiber and enzymes, we tax the organs of digestion and detoxification rather than support them. A gentle nutritional cleanse supports our own bodies natural ability to detoxify the way it is intended.
Just as we clean the filter of our car or furnace, we must clean the filters of the body for optimal performance. Regular nutritional cleansing typically results in increased energy, improved digestion, hormonal regulation, decreased pain and inflammation, clear skin and mental clarity. Who doesn’t want that?
A nutritional cleanse is very simple! You eat only natural or whole foods for a certain period of time. It can be done for one or two days regularly each week or for a week or more several times per year. Natural foods are foods that come from the earth: vegetables, fruits, legumes, seeds, nuts and some whole grains (gluten-free grains like quinoa and brown rice are best). Some people choose to follow a vegan diet, others prefer to incorporate minimal animal products like wild fish or organic chicken and eggs. Nutritional cleansing is mainly vegetable based and does not involve a fast. Light foods are eaten throughout the day to provide the detoxification organs the nutrients required to perform optimally. Purified water and herbal teas such as dandelion, nettle, peppermint or cleansing blends should be the only beverages consumed during a cleanse. Adding fresh lemon to warm or cool water enhances the cleansing process. Specific foods like parsley, cilantro, turmeric, ginger, as well as most vegetables especially the cruciferous veggies enhance detoxification. Homemade broth soups, juices and salads are great meals during a cleanse. Warm and cooked foods are better during a winter or fall cleanse while raw foods and salads are better during a spring or summer cleanse. Foods to avoid during any cleanse are sugar, dairy, processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, refined flours and most starches such as bread and pasta.
Nutritional cleansing herbal and nutritional products which further enhance the detoxification process are available at NFP. Come in a speak to a nutritionist about a product that might benefit you!
Happy Cleansing!
